(57) A coupler for coupling together two pipes comprises a substantially cylindrical body
(6, 10) on which a plurality of hook arms (30) carrying latches (34) are pivotally
mounted. An actuator ring (46) is rotatably mounted on the coupler body (10) and has
a cam surface (50, 53) which is arranged to cause the hook arms (30) to pivot to move
the latches (34) into and out of a position in which they serve to lock a flange (42)
at the end of a pipe (44) to a front flange (6) of the cylindrical body. The pipe
flange (42) can be guided onto the coupling by guides (22) and the guides are also
effective to hold adaptor plates on the flange (6) so that the coupler can be used
to couple pipes of different diametres. No axial movement of any of the components
of the coupler takes place during coupling, movement of the actuator ring (46) being
purely rotational and movement of the hook arms (30) and latches (34) being purely
pivotal.
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